from Sarah Elson

Like so many others, I was deeply saddened to hear of Sam’s passing. I had known Meredith a little before she and Sam moved to San Francisco, and was lucky to become friends with them while they were in the Bay Area. Spending time with the two of them was always uplifting. I knew Sam as a delightful, warm, caring, and energetic friend. He was the kind of person who asked questions and listened, who could be interested in whatever you were interested in. His warmth and passion were infectious. We ran into each other several times on our ways to work, and his exuberant greetings always brightened my morning. On the occasions we went rock-climbing together, Sam was an encouraging and inspiring partner. I did not know him through professional circles, and my surprise at learning the extent of his accomplishments speaks also to his humble nature. The last time I saw Meredith and Sam was a little over a year ago, and I was touched to see the father he had become and the love he had to share with Orli and Aya. The world has lost a truly remarkable individual.